Chair change for advice committee

Mark Dickey-Collas appointed as new chair of ICES Advisory Committee (ACOM) for three-year term.

Published:
5 September 2018

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​​​​​​​Dickey-Collas, currently Ecosystem Approach Coordinator at ICES Secretariat, will assume the role in October and continue to help ACOM​​​ produce advice on the sustainable use and protection of marine ecosystems. ​​​

He will work alongside the committee on the various challenges facing ICES advice, including mixed fishery issues, advice quality and communication, and producing independent advice that accounts for stakeholder concerns.

Another key area is the enactment of the ecosystem approach and building frameworks that account for management objectives. In this regard, Dickey-Collas has much experience working with projects and groups that deal with integrated ecosystem assessments (IEAs). This has involved exploring ways of giving evidence for trade-offs between such objectives, collaborating with economic and social researchers in the process. ​

Bridging science and advice

With over 25 years of experience in stock assessment and fisheries management advice, Dickey-Collas has also been active in developing advice for the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) as well as ecosystem overviews. This work has involved listening and liaising with people wanting advice, interpreting problems, and translating these into requests to the scientific community.

“The role will give me the chance to work with fantastic teams, and I look forward to forging even better relations with the ACOM members and vice-chairs and melding the worlds of science and policy with the ICES secretariat. I want ACOM to remain the premier developer of independent marine fisheries, aquaculture and environmental advice. To achieve this we must be more resilient and able to answer future societal questions," Dickey-Collas said.